“Andra,” I whispered. My father and Six were asleep on the couch in the corner and the lights were lowered, signaling the lateness of the evening.
“Andra,” I said again. “I followed you, my North Star. Come back to earth, my love.”
I didn’t hold my breath for a response from her, but I still felt a small stab of disappointment when there was nothing.
I squeezed her hand. “Let me be your anchor.”
I waited a few beats, feeling her pulse under my fingertips. And then I felt it.
It was weak at first, just the slightest pressure of movement in my hand. I squeezed again. And then she squeezed harder.
I didn’t think my chest could contain the swell of my heart. “Oh, Andra,” I whispered. “Squeeze again.”
It took a few seconds but the squeeze came.
I squeezed again, feeling my eyes start to water in relief.
She squeezed again.
Then she opened her eyes.
EPILOGUE
~Andra~
The room was bright. And opening my eyes was a struggle. But I did it, for him. For Julian.
He was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. I had to close them right away, but I reopened them, seeing Julian again. His eyes were wet and his was smiling the widest smile. I ached to smile too. But every single movement required great effort.
“Andra,” he breathed.
I swallowed and grimaced. I wanted to speak, but my throat was sore.
“It’s okay.” He squeeze my hand reassuringly.
I heard the beep of machines that reminded me I was in the hospital.
I closed my eyes and drifted back into sleep.
When I reopened them, the room was brighter and Julian was still holding my hand. My eyes moved over Six, who stood directly at the foot of the bed, staring at me. Exhaustion and relief warred on his face. My heart thumped hard in my chest.
“Andra.” I turned my head, wincing. A woman in a white coat smiled down at me. “You’re awake,” she said softly. “Can you do me a favor?”
I opened my mouth. “Yes.” It didn’t sound like my voice, but I knew it came from me.
Her smile spread. “She speaks.” She clasped her hands together. “I was going to have you cough, but you had to be an overachiever and actually speak.”
A smiled tugged my own lips. I looked at Julian. My anchor.
I lifted a hand to my neck, keeping my eyes on his. My body felt a little drunk, and my limbs seemed heavier than I remembered, but I managed to touch the necklace at my throat. The necklace that had centered me when I was being choked on the pier. Julian was my anchor.
He saved me.
The End